Featured Reviews

Wonderful earrings - beautifully made

Thank you for these "delicious" earrings. I make my own paper bead jewelry, too. These earrings look so nice with one of my own necklaces. I know the work that goes into making these beads, so I do like to support the artisans who make them.
I have had these several years, so there may be a review somewhere already. Pardon the duplication. Many of my reviews got lost.

perfect little piece of magic

If you write you need to carry a small notebook and pen in your bag or pocket. These tiny beautifully bound and illustrated notebooks are perfect! What a delightful
object to carry --almost a talisman. A meaningful gift
for the writer in your life.

Stunning necklace - hours of work

Thank you Francis for this stunning necklace. I know the hours and hours of work it must have taken to make it --- as I have made paper bead necklaces myself. Since your necklaces have inspired some of the ones I have made, I wanted to properly THANK YOU by buying another piece from you.

Featured Artist

"Everything began in Araras, in the interior of Ceará, when I was just ten years old. Raised by my grandparents, who were farmers, I didn't receive any incentive in the arts. But the my creativity was already stimulated because playing where we lived, with few resources, was a constant and continuous creative exercise. I helped on the plantation and with the harvest; I loved it. It was lovely to see the plants grow and pick the fruits that I had planted. I remember that my uncles had a small brickworks where I created pots and animals, among other things I could use in my games, everything made of clay. When I was 12, I learned all the crafts there were. I also loved to attend any cultural manifestation, like puppet shows, circuses and such.

"I don't have any formal formation; I am self-taught, living new experiences together with my friends. Besides this, I always tried to be linked with some artistic movement, because those experiences were so outstanding that they are present in the artist that I am today.

"I began making this type of jewelry in 2000, when I was working as a social worker at shelter with more than 2000 people. They were poor and some were sick, and amongst them was a woman called Isabel. She had some form of mental problem and she spent the day rolling up pieces of paper or whatever else she had in her hand. She kept moving her hands, it was like a tic that she had.

"I wanted to develop a project that would teach them something that could help them earn some money to cover the day. As the government of Rio owned this shelter, there wasn't a budget, so they could not afford expensive tools and materials. When I saw what Isabel was doing, I decided to explore the possibility of creating a variety of items with rolled-up paper. They started by making bowls and curtains, and finally jewelry. I used to make jewelry when I was young and always liked it, so I knew how to go about it.

"This project lasted until 2003, when the shelter closed down, but I kept crafting different objects at my place, with many people from the shelter coming round to do their pieces too.

"I love this type of work for two main reasons: I think that it is fundamental to start recycling stuff, otherwise the world will become more and more polluted. I am happy to contribute by recycling. And the second reason is that this type of work is helping people earning a living. Before, these people usually stayed in the street asking for money, but now they know how to recycle paper and other techniques, so they can go in the street to selling instead of asking for money, and this is a big improvement.

"Today, art for me has a social nature. There is no doubt that it provides me with my sustenance and income, but this is not the main foundation of my art. I work together with communities in need, shelters for street people, non-profit projects and movements. With what I am doing, I believe art is an instrument of transition.

"We work basically with recyclable materials, preserving nature, mobilizing everyone to an exercise in environmental preservation. Novica is a great partner that opens my eyes to new horizons and the possibilities of showing my work to everyone. And, as in my past, I am picking the fruits of a seed planted 31 years ago: the seed of art."

Beautiful flowers in vivid primary hues bloom on a background of pristine ivory. By Nikom, this delightful parasol is crafted of bamboo and handmade saa, or mulberry bark paper. He paints the motifs... Read More

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Ernestina Asante

West Africa

Although carving has long been regarded as the preserve of men, Ernestina has been able to make her own mark on the industry, carving her own masks and djembe drums.

Through her sales with NOVICA, Ernestina has grown as an entrepreneur, expanding her business and taking on apprentices. She even persuaded her husband who was a taxi driver to quit his job and join NOVICA as a carver.